Flowerpot is a freelance journalist, author and walker who lives in Cornwall. My first book of walks, Discover Cornwall, was published by Sigma Press July 2012. Circular Walks with Cornish Writers was published in August 2015 and Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark was published in July 2016.

Friday, 24 August 2007

Missing

Bussie went missing on Tuesday evening, having injured his back leg. He came down and told us about it, of course, yowling vociferously. We had a good look at it, and it didn’t look broken – just sprained. But he was obviously in pain, poor thing, and curled up on the bunks in the hall (his favourite place) and had his tea brought to him. I had to go out to a meeting later but Pip kept checking him - and suddenly he was gone.

He hasn’t been seen since, and this isn’t a wandering cat, but a spoilt only son. He always comes home for meals, adores his creature comforts.

Himself says, ‘He’ll be back in the morning/evening/lunchtime,’ repeating it like a mantra. I'm silent, feeling sick, my imagination working overtime.

Meanwhile we patrol the streets like ghosts, calling and calling him, dropping leaflets into neighbouring houses as it got dark last night. I've rung the local radio station, been to the vets, told all our friends nearby. We come home and look at the bunks, accusingly empty. His bowl of biscuits, untouched.

What really worries me is that he’s in pain and alone - I can’t bear to think of any animal, particularly my Bussie, suffering. Where on earth is he?

I do hope he comes home soon, or you find him hiding in the airing cupboard.... I don't think I could ever have a cat for this precise reason! You do hear miraculous tales of cats finding their way home, and getting out of real scrapes, so I'm sure he'll appear soon. Fingers crossed for you....

Oh no! This is so hard: the not knowning, not knowing how hard to hope... we've gone through this a few times, and even when things have turned out well it's been incredibly hard: hugs and thoughts to you....N.

Oh, how I empathise with you - what a nightmare! Poor thing...But I've lost a dog and a cat before, and they both turned up fine - dog was trapped indoors in a neighbour's outbuilding as someone had accidently locked her in, and the cat disappeared for ages...until one evening she launched herself at the french windows in the livingroom, fit well and healthy - obviously having been looked after by someone else for ages...so don't despair...Good luck x

I can well appreciate what you're going through, having lost three out of four of our pets for a couple of days at various points. Hopefully he's just found somewhere cool and quiet to rest up. Cats can go without food for a few days without too much trouble so, fingers crossed, he should be home soon. {{{hugs}}}

(Graham's Mum)I really, really hope he returns soon. You must be demented over this. I had a cat who returned after 6 months but that doesn't help you any at the moment. He must have been taken in by someone who thought he was a stray. He will recover and return - don't be thinking the worst because you will be wrong!!

I'm overwhelmed by all your messages of support - thank you so, so much. As I write (early Sat morning) there's still no sign of him and I dont know that he'd go to anyone else as he's not an overly friendly cat - still, who knows with cats? He might well be tempted by food...I can only hope the best, but your support is wonderful. I'm not able to visit your blogs or thank you individually at the moment as my internet connection is still up the spout, but THANK YOU ALL, and a big hello to those who I haven't 'met' before - please come back and I'll update you when I have some news. Bless you all.

Bussie was my first thought this morning and I hoped your blog would say he had returned.He might not have had any choice about being taken in if someone saw he was in pain. He was probably picked up, taken in, fed and "watered", and has surrendered to being a patient. This sounds like a lot of trouble but would it be possible to print out a number of Gone Missing notices and post one at the end of each road locally asking that person to pass it on to their neighbour? If you live in an underpopulated area of course this wouldn't work. I just wish I was there to help you. My cat returned after 6 months looking in the peak of health and twice the size but 'went down' because we had another cat!

Oh flower - how awful - i just heard the news. And still no sign of him yet. That's the trouble with cats - they go AWOL. Dogs can be kept under control more.Is he microchipped?Spread your news of his loss far and wide. As he could he have been inadvertently catnapped by tourist going home? or have there been removal lorries locally?? He might have sneaked in a neighbours place/she/garage. Go round calling and peering in their properties in case they gone away for weekend.Hope you have good news to share soon.

Walks in the Footsteps of Cornish Writers

Discover Cornwall

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"Sue’s clear yet engaging writing style, the evocative descriptions and photographs mean Discover Cornwall will appeal not only to walkers but to readers as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not only because it make me want to rush out and try some new walks, but because I realised it would make the perfect gift for the many people I know who enjoy walking in Cornwall."

About Me

I am a freelance journalist with a Diploma with Distinction for Freelance and Feature Writing from the London School of Journalism. I have been a regular contributor to Cornwall Today (Regional Magazine of the Year, 2009) since 2008 writing regular walks, features, antique pieces, health, business and humour. I have interviewed Bill Bryson, Ian Rankin, John O'Farrell, Patrick Gale, Lionel Shriver and Rosamunde Pitcher for Writers' Forum and Cornwall Today. My work has also appeared in Classic Boat, Classic Sailor, Woman's Weekly and Nursing Standard. In addition I have written several novels, one of which is being read by an agent as I write.
Discover Cornwall, my first book of Cornish walks was published by Sigma in June 2012, Walks in the Footsteps of Cornish Writers in 2014, Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark in 2015, and Walks in the Footsteps of Daphne du Maurier will be published in 2017.
I am also a seaside landlady, getting used to life without my lovely husband who died at the end of 2010. I live in Cornwall with my scruffy canine Mollie and keep sane by singing, walking and seeing my wonderful mates.